These Sustainable Development Goals have been established with the aim of building a fairer and more inclusive world for all of us to live in. Now doesn’t that sound like the best, most exciting and challenging design brief ever?

My name is Denise Stephens and I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in 2003, when I was 24 years old. Since then, my experiences have given me an interesting insight into how the world can be transformed by the lens of disability. From taking day-to-day things for granted to struggling with the most mundane of tasks, I’ve become all too aware of how good design can enable and at its worst sadly disable.

Over the years, I have become a champion of Design for All / Inclusive Design, but ultimately good design, and how it can help people to live independently and make life easier. I set up the Enabled by Design community in support of this and more recently have been working with Rica, a consumer research organisation for older and disabled people.

I’m particularly excited about my involvement with Rica, as they’re also passionate about Design for All / Inclusive Design and how it can be harnessed to make the world a more inclusive place.

So this IDPD I would like to dedicate this blog to Design for All / Inclusive Design, its benefits and how it can help to mainstream accessibility.

Buses with lowering floors and ramps and automatic sliding doors that improve accessibility for a range of people such as wheelchair users and those using walking aids, carrying heavy items, using pushchairs or similar

Wheeled suitcases that reduce the need for carrying heavy loads

Lever taps that can be useful for people with dexterity difficulties or hands-free use

Inclusive Design offers a range of benefits from making products / services easier to use and helping to destigmatise accessible products to increased customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

We’re passionate about Design for All / Inclusive Design and truly believe that this holds the key to a more inclusive world!

What are your favourite examples of Inclusive Design and how do they help to make life easier for you? Let us know here...